Redwood Enters Playoffs as Big Underdogs

By: Tyler Stark

Ranger fans, it’s officially playoff time! This season has not been without its fair share of ups and downs, but now the regular season is behind us. From this point forward one loss and you’re out.

The Rangers 4-5 will be facing the ultra explosive, undefeated Mission Oak Hawks 9-0 on Friday night.

Considering last week’s Ranger loss in the Cowhide game, head coach Kevin Scharton feels that this game is gonna test his boys’ mental toughness. Scharton says, “Friday’s game will test the Redwood Rangers. Coming off a heartbreaking loss to our cross-town rival definitely took a toll on our confidence.”

Scharton goes on to say he believes his team is refocused and ready to compete on Friday. This is no doubt going to be a very tough game for the Rangers. Scharton said this game is going to be a very tough game for the Rangers. Scharton says this is going to be a massive test and it is fascinating to see if these boys pass this test on Friday night.

Coming into this game the Rangers find themselves as big underdogs. This is somewhat reminiscent of earlier this year when the Rangers played Hanford and nobody gave them a chance to win. The Rangers went on to win that game. Fullback, Ty Potts‘23, says that is a confidence booster coming into Friday night.

“We know what we’re capable of when we play to our fullest potential and that gives us a lot of confidence knowing how well we can play when we execute to our best ability.”

Wide receiver Ashton Ibarra ‘22 loves that everyone’s doubting his team. Ibarra says, “I feel great. I like the fact that everyone is doubting us. They did that to us when we played at Hanford. I had students telling me that they weren’t gonna go to the game because we were gonna get killed. I just used that as fuel to go hard and get the win. “

It’s no secret that the Rangers have had key players injured all year, coming into this game that is certainly the case. The Rangers are without several of their highest impact players on both offense and defense. Injuries are going to be the biggest challenge for the Rangers on Friday night according to running back Alex Perch ‘24. Perch says, “We have a lot of guys injured. Three of our team captains will be out because of an injury. It’s tough, but it’s football. Other guys gotta step up so we can win this game.”

With the injuries it’s obviously only going to make the game tougher, like Perch says other guys are gonna have to play at a high level if this team is gonna advance. This could be the last game of the season for the Rangers.

Wide receiver, Christian Daniel ‘22, says he feels that there’s some pressure on his team because of this. Daniel says, “I feel some pressure on us because this could be our last game and we really wouldn’t want it to be our last.”

Tyler Stark

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Tyler Stark ('24) is in his freshmen year, and this is his first year writing for the Redwood Gigantea. Tyler hopes to work for Sports Illustrated in the future. you can contact him by email with: tyler.st3800@vusd.us